Fan Fare

Celebrities and their dogs are two a penny in Hollywood.  But Little Bear must be a cut above the rest.

The cute Queensland Heeler is not only about to make his cinematic debut as the star of “First Dog”,  but he also has the illustrious credentials and heart-wrenching back story to go with it.

Little Bear is now owned by film director Bryan Michael Stoller.

But before he came to Stoller,  he had been  rescued by former U.S. first lady Nancy Reagan and the late President Ronald Reagan after he left office and the couple moved back to California.

Stoller says Little Bear’s troubled early life was the inspiration for his  movie, which revolves around a dog who is accidentally left behind at a presidential dedication ceremony and is found by a young foster boy who runs away from home and  sets out on an adventure to return the dog to the White House.

“Little Bear’s fortune changed when Nancy Reagan found and fostered him…In my film (he) is found by a young foster boy named Danny Milbright, who is hopeful that his lot will change. And as fate would have it, it does,” Stoller said.

“First Dog”, which  includes songs performed by Dolly Parton and a duet by Willie Nelson and his daughter Paula, is one of the opening features at the Hollywood Film Festival on Oct. 22.

Needless to say, like any self-respecting Hollywood star Little Bear has a screen name — in this case “Teddy the First Dog”.  He will also be attending the cast Q&A after the Oct. 22 screening.

As the family friendly movie’s tagline puts it — “In Dog We Trust”.